Article-packing machine



. Sept. 29, 1925;

E. T. MCKAIGI ARTICLE PACKING MACH IKE Filed Sept. 22, 1922 "I'Sheets-Sheet 1 E. T mime ARTICLE PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22,, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 29, 1925,

E. T. MCKAlG ARTICLE PACKING MACHINE Filed'sept. 22, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. 1'. mKAle ARTICLE cums mourns iled Sept. 22, v1.922 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sqat. 29, 1925.

E. T. M KAIG ARTICLE PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1922 7 sheets sheet 5 frzz/e izfor Sept. 29, 1925. 1,555,224 E. 'r. MOKAIG ARTICLE PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 29, 1925.

E. T. MKAIG ARTICLE PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1922 '7 Sheets-sheaf 7 i 25 soap.

. 35 A' further impo Patented Sept. 29, .1925.

arm: 21:. menus, or carcneo, rumors,

nssronon 'ro An'ron warm, or CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS. v

AIMI'FJICLIZ-PACKING MACHINE.

Application filed September 22, 1922. Serial No, 589,799.

To all whom. itmay concern:

Be it known that I, EDDY T. MCKAIG, a i citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State 5 of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Article-Packing Machine, of which the following is a specification. I V

My invention relates to improvements inmachines for packing articles of uniform dimensions such as bars of soap and the like, the packages preferably being preliminarily wrapped before they are packed. My invention relates particularly. tothe production of a machine adapted to consecutively feed boxes in which the soap is to bepacked, the machine being particularly designed for I packing the soap in corrugated paper boxes having attached closure flaps, the machine being automatically operated so faras the packing of the bars into the boxes is con-- cerned, the only manual operation required being the successive insertionof the corrugated cardboard boxes for receiving the An important feature of -my invention relates to the association of the packing mechamm with a wrapping meehanism,the .packing mechanism being-p ably; driven by power receivedvfromth rapping mechanism and in such a menu atthe packing operations are accuratel' ,livery of the wrapped ping mechanism." f

from: the wrapeature relates to means for retainingfth osure flaps of the packing box in folded 'ck positions so that the boxwill present an open side for receivingthe articles to be packed'therein. A

40 further feature relates to' the provision of means for retaining the upper wall. of the box in withdrawn relation so as'to permit.

the ready insertion of thefinal layer of bars beneath this upper wall.

My invention resides in a machine of the character described having associated and co-ordinated mechanisms, devices, and parts so arranged and operated as to completely fill the packing box by successively insertlng "rows of articles into the boxto complete suces'sive layers until the box has received its o'fa part of the packing mechanism, shown arrangedtolower the box step by step toreed with the der the line 66 of Figure 3;

.the c ute 13 on the line 10 10 of Figure 6;

complement-.of'layers, the mechanism being partly in section; and

' ceive thesuccessive layers and to discharge the box when completely filled.

Automatic mechanism is provided for supporting the, box in its step by step descent to receive the successive layers and automatic mechanism is provided for successively moving rows of the articles consisting of a specified number into position to be pushed into the box to form the layers. Adjusting devices are, provided for arranging the several parts to operate accurately in relation to each other to accomplish the results desired.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which p Figure l is a top plan view of a packing machine einbodying my invention and showing the connection of the packing machine with a wrap-ping machine;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 and particularly illustrating the main part of the machine;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the main part of the machine; v l

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevation looking at the machine from the left hand end as shown in Figure 2; a

Figure 5 is a similar view looking at the machine from the opposite end;

Figure 6 is a detail horizontal section on .85

Figure 7 is a perspective view of'one of the corrugated cardboard packing boxes as it appears before it is placed in the machine;

Fi re 8 is a similar view of one of the packing boxes in the-condition in which it wouldbe retained while in the machine;

Figure 9 is a. vertical longitudinal sectionalview' of the machine on the line 99 f, of Figure 2 v particularly illustrating. th packing operations;

Fi' re 10 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lower portion of he machine illiistrating the manner in which a. filled box is delivered from the machine;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary. rear elevation 10.6 Figure 13 is a fragmentarytop plan view i packing boxes step by step past the packing mechanism, and associated with which, are

the several devices for retaining the flapsin turned backposition, the pusher mechanism for pushing successive rows of the article into thebox for forming the layers therein, and the feed mechanism for successively feeding the rows of articles to the pusher mechanism. Associated witlrall of these mechanisms are suitableco-ordinated operating parts and devices for properly timing the movement of the severalmecha; nisms to fill successive boxes with the articles. I i

For a clear understanding of Jmy machine, I will describe the several mecha-' nisms in the order stated above. In the drawings 10 represents a suitable frame for the machine in which the several operating shafts are rotatably mounted and upon which the several co-ordinated mechanisms are arranged. On the frame 10 is a horizontalchute 11 having an open end 12 adapted to receive the'packing boxes 13 and through which the packing boxes are successively moved by hand from the open end to the upper end of the vertical chute 14 down which the boxes move successively past the packingmechanism.

As shown inFigures 7 and 8, a box 13 has .hinged flaps for closing its open side 15,

flaps 16 being arranged at the sides and flaps 17 being arranged at the ends. All of these flaps are folded back into contact. with the sides of the box as shown in Figure S'befOre thebox will be held in folded down position the box is inserted into the chute. 11. The

chute 11 is long enough to contain twoof the boxes 13, one behind the other. It will be obvious that the flap on the forward end-of by the box just ahead, and that the two side flaps will be held folded back by the walls of the chute 11. The rear flap 17 of the box is folded down and held by the operator when inserting the next successivebox. It

will be obvious that the top and bottom flaps. 16 will beretained in folded back position as long as the box is in the chute 11.

The operator in placing boxes in the chute 1 1- pushes the boxes forward and finally the forward box is pushed into the top of the. vertical chute'14 down which the boxes drop past the packing mechanism. The two end fla s 17 will beheld back one by the outer wa l 20 of the chute 14 and the other by the adjacent end ofthe next box. 13. It. will ,be obviousthat the lower flap 16 will be prevented from swinging; outwardly by,v the next lower box 13 in the chute 14 and that upper end of the chute 14, drops down to pass the inner endof the next box in the chute 11, the forward flap 17. would be free to swing out of its folded back position and to prevent this, I provide a horizontal sliding bar 22 mounted in one of the side walls: of the chute 11' and the upper end of the chute 14. This sliding bar 22 has an inwardly extending projection 22 adapted to contact with the forward flap 17 and hold the same from swinging out of its folded back position during its comes from the inner end of the chute- 11 until it contacts with the outer wall 20 of the chute 14. This adapted to be drawn back to its rear posislide 22 is mounted in a suitable guide-23 secured tothe face of the chute and is.

tion by 'a weight 24 attached'to. the rear end of the bar 21 by a cord 25 trained around a suitable pulley 26. 'The projection 22' engages the forward flap'17 and as the boxes move through the horizontal chute 11 the bar 21 is pushed forward and remains in such forward position until the box which it engages drops down the chute 14 out of engagement with the projection 22 at which time the bar 22- is carried back into contact with the forward flap of the next box and before the forward flap 17 of the next box is released entirely from the box-which is in adavance thereof and which at such time is dropping down the chute 14.

It will be obvious that the upper flap '16 might swing upwardly from its folded back position as the box descends the chute 14 and to prevent this I provide a weight 27 of U-form which is adapted to be. lowered upon the upper flap'and descend with the box until'the box has descended far eno-ughzto permit the inward'movement of the next successive box. This weight 27 is attached to an operating 'cord' 28, trained over suit able pulleys29 andBO, the cord having a suitable handle 31j-on its free end by'which the weight. 'ca'nbe lifted. The weight is heavy enough to follow the boxes down the chute 14 and when the box has descended far enough to free the'inner endof thenext successive box the operator. can insert'the nextbox into the outerendofthe chute 11 and push the inner end ofthe box at the inner end of the chute'll inwardly into the position shown in dotted. lines 32 in which. position it will obviously prevent the upward swinging of the-upper tlap 16. At.

this time the operator lifts the weight 27 by the handle 31'and completes the insertion. of the next successive box, thus pushing the. box at the inner endofthe chute ll'into th'e u pper'endof the vertical chute 14 into pos tion to receive'theweight 27 upon its upper flap 16 and then the operator lowers the weight 27 upon the box in the upper end of the chute 14. The box having entered into the vertical chute 14 and having begun its descent therein, the flaps are held back so that the open side of the box is presented to the packing mechanism.

For applying power to drive the machine,

' I provide a horizontal shaft 33 mounted in suitable hearings on the frame 10 and provided with a chain wheel 34 on one end around which is trained a drive chain 35 which is trained around a similar chain Wheel on a shaft forming part of a soap wrapping machine adapted to wrap the soap before its delivery to the packing machine illustrated in the drawings. The wrapping machine is not shown in the drawings but merely indicated by the delivery belt 36 fordelivering wrapped soap bars 37 to the packing machine, and by the chain 35. Upon one end of the shaft 33 is mounted a toothed pinion 38 adapted to mesh with a toothed gear 39 mounted on a shaft 40 ar- 1 relation. 3

The wrapped soap bars 37, illustrated in the drawings, are rectangular in shape and are what are termed fiat bars. They are adapted to be delivered from the packing machinelying flat on the belt 36, the belt 36 being arranged to drop the barsonto a carrying belt 41 arranged parallel with the shafts 33 and 40 and below the delivery belt 36, the arrangement being such that as the bars drop from the end of the belt 36 they are set on edge on the carrier, belt 41. This carrier belt is so arranged that itcarries the soap bars forwardin'end to end relation to position them in front of the box 13 being illed, but I do not 'dependupon this carrier belt for the timed feeding of the bars. This belt 'ismerely for the" purpose of carrying the bars into position so that they can-be moved forward four at a time by the mechanism to be described. The belt 41 is suitably mounted upon pulleys42 and 43 and is adapted to be operated continually by a chain wheel 44 on the shaft 33 and a similar chain wheel 45'on the shaft 46 arranged par allel with the, shaft 33 and a connecting drive chain 47 trained around the chain 2 wheels 44 and 45.

The belt 41 is driven from the shaft 46 through the medium of a bevel wheel 48 on the shaft 46 and a similar bevel wheel 49 on the shaft 50 upon which with the feed belt 41.

is mounted.

,the belt wheel 42 is carried. The bearing member 51"in which the shaft 50 is'carried is suitably adjustably mounted on the frame so as to permit the proper adjustment of the belt 41. v

veyor belt 41'and are carried to the leftas shown in Figure 2, toward the packing mechanism proper, the belt sliding beneath the bars when the bars cannot move further.

I provide means for pushing the bars of soap off of the belt 41 into the packing mechanism four at a time. This part of the feeding mechanism comprises a chain 52 trained around chain wheels 53 and 54, arranged in a horizontal plane and extending parallel The chain 52 is driven in time with the packing mechanism by means of a pair of bevel gears 48 -49, one of which is mounted on the shaft 50 of the belt pulley 42 and the other of which is mounted on a shaft 46 which extends parallel with the chain 52 and carries on one end a bevel gear 57 adapted to mesh with a similar bevel gear 58 carried on the short vertical shaft 59 upon which the chain wheel 54 The shaft 59 is mounted in a suitable bearing 60 fixed upon the frame of the machine. The chain wheel 53 at the opposite end of the chain is carried on an adjustable bearing 61 for tightening the chain 52. 7

Upon the chain I mount a movable projection 62. This projection is adapted to extend into the path of the soap bars, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, to contact with the bars and'push them to the left, in Figure 1. This projection is in the form of a triangular bracket pivotally mounted at the heel 63 of the bracket on the chain 52. One

part 64 of the bracket extends rearwardly Within the chain 52' and is adapted to contact with a guide 65 extending parallel with the chain 52. The forward end 66 of the guide 65 is cut away to permit the bracket member 62 to swing around and pass the soapbars, the movement of the chain beyond this point causing the bracket 62 to swing around out of contact with the soap bars. The opposite end 67 of the .guide is curved inwardly in such a manner as to cause the bracket 62 to be extended as it is carried around the chain wheel 53 so as to 65 is secured by screws 68 which project through longitudinal slots 69 in the guide thus permitting the guide .to be adjusted longitudinally for the purpose'of causing the pusher 62 to be released from the soap bars at the proper instant. The packing 70 The soap bars are delivered upon the con mechanism proper comprises means for receivin the soap bars from the feed mechanism fbur at a time in position in front of the box being filled. The packer operates to push four bars into the box following each set of four bars with another set until a complete layer has been packed and I pro-' vide means for lowering the box step by step in order that the packing mechanism be described.

I provide means in connection with the packing mechanism so that when the angle. member 70 is withdrawn, the soap bars are held against withdrawal.

This mechanism consists of the plate 74 arranged in front of the vertical side 72 of the an le member 70 and normally in contact therewith, this plate being spaced rearwardly from the box to provide a channel for receiving the soap bars when they are pushed forward into the packing position by the mechanism already described. I provide mechanism to be described in connection with the packing znechanism for properly operating the plate In line with the channel for receiving the soap bars, I provide a stop member 75 having on its inner end a vertical stop 76 for properly setting the bars of soap. in front of the open side of the box. The stop member 75 is adjustable so as to accurately set {318 bars in position to be pushed into the ox. It is desirable to retain the bars upon the horizontal part 71 of the angle member 70 and prevent the bars from moving forward until they are carried in by the packing mechanism. For this purpose ,..I provide four vertically movable plungers 77 mounted in vertical guides provided in the pusher member 73, one plunger 77 for each bar of soap, and on the upper end of each plunger I provide the forwardly extending finger 78 which is adapted to be brought down upon the upperside of the bar of soap and retain it in proper position during the packing operation. Each plunger 77 is mounted in a suitable vertical opening 79 provided in the pusher member 73, the opening 79 being large enough to accommodate a spring 80 surrounding the plunger 77. The lower end 81 of the plunger is square in cross section and is guided in the lower end 79 of the opening 79 which is also square in cross section and by which the fingers 78 at the top of the plungers 77 are retained extending in the proper direction. The upper end of the square portion 81 forms a shoulder for the spring 80. The plungers.

77 are each housed in a boss 80 on the back cured upon the upper surface of the pusher member 73 bymeans of suitable screws 84..

The lower end 85 of the squared portion 81 of the plunger is normally above the lower surface 86 of the pusher member 73. The spring v normally retains the finger 78 in soap engaging position and I provide timed means for lifting the several fingers and permitting the soap bars to be fed-into position upon the packing mechanism.

This lifting mechanism comprises a swinging lever 87 pivoted on the frame 10 at 88 in a bracket 89 secured to a cross frame member 90. The lever 87 projects forward substantially horizontally and engages beneath a collar 91 on a vertical plunger rod 92 which is guided at its lower end 93 in a cross member of the frame. This plunger carries a cross-head 94 on its upper end provided with four vertical projections 95 on its upper side adapted to register with the lower squared ends 82 of the vertical plungers 77. The lever 87 is adapted to be lifted by a cam 96 on the shaft 40 the lever being preferably formed of two ars between which is mounted a cam roller 97 on a pin 98. The free end 99 of the lever 97 is connected by a vertical link 100 to a bracket 101 secured to a vertically arranged plate 102. The upper end 103 of the. plate is adapted to be. projected adjacent to the open side of the box and in combination with the pusher plate 7 to form a channel for the bars as they are fed into the packing position. The cam 96 is arranged as to time the lifting of the guard 103 so that the bars of soap as they are fed into packing position will be prevented from falling forward into the box. At the same instant the fingers 78 are lifted by means of the plungers 95 and thus the. channel for receiving the soap bars is opened. As the guard plate must be lifted farther than the fingers 78, I provide a relatively stilf spring 104: on the. vertical rod 92 abutting at its lower end the collar 91 and at its upper end the cross-head 94. This spring is compressed bv the lever 87 after the plungers 95 have contacted with the lower ends 80" of the plunger bosses 80 and are thus prevented from being lifted farther the lever thus being permitted to rise further and project the guard plate 102 to its desired height. Between the bracket 101 and the plate 102, I provide a stiffening bar 105 the lower end is, the plate 74 and the angle member 70,

back and forth in the packing operation, I provide the following mechanism. The angle-member is loosely mounted upon the forward ends of two horizontal guide bars 107 which are mounted in slideb'rackets 108 for moving back and forth.- from and toward the box to be filled. The plate 73 carried by the angle plate is connected by means of two toggle links 109 with the ends of a cross-bar 110 rigidly mounted on therear ends of the two guide bars 107. These toggle links each comprise a link or lever 111 pivotally attached at its forward end to the back of the plate 73 and pivotally connected *at 112 to the forward-end of the rear member 113 of the toggle link. .This rear member link from dropping down to a position below the horizontal line in which position it is practically locked in extended position.

The function of the toggle links will be de scribed later.

For moving the packing member back and forth, I provide a vertical lever 118 pivoted at the base of the frame at 119 to swing back and forth in a vertical plane. The upper end of this vertical lever 118 is connected to the pusher mechanism by links 120 which are pivotally connected to the pusher mechanism at. their forward ends 121. The swinging of the lever 118 moves the packing mechanism back and forth. This lever is adapted to be moved forward by a stilf coiled spring 122 which surrounds the shaft 119 upon which the lever is mounted and engages the frame and the lever, in such a manner as to force the upper end of the lever to the left, Figure '5, for forcing the soap into the box. For withdrawing the lever against the action of the spring 1 provide a cam 123 mounted on the shaft 40 and having a cutaway portion 124 adapted to permit the lever to swing forwardly far enough to place the first row of soap in a layer at the rearward side or bottom of the box. The circular part 125 of the cam forces I the lever each time to the limit of its movement in the opposite direction, as shown in full lines, Figure 5. That is, it carries the plate 72 out of the path of the incoming soap.- It will be obvious that the spring 122 will serve to swing the upper end of the lever 118 forward until the row of soap being carried thereby contacts with the bottom of the box or with a previouslylpositioned.row.

The lever having swung forward and carried the row of soap into the'box, it is necessary to hold theplate 74 against the soap until the-fingers 78 and. the plate 70 are withdrawn from the soap. For the urpose of'withdrawing the fingers 78 and t e plate 70 from the soap while'held tightly in position by the plate, I arrange means for breakin the to lc links 109 into an lin position so as to shorten the distance from the rear. pivoted ends 114 to the forward ends as indicated in Figure 9 in dotted lines and. thus relatively withdraw the member 73 with the fingers and the bottom plate 70. The plate 74 is rigidly mounted onthe inner ends of the slides 107 and when the plate 70 andfingers 78 are wit-hdrawn'the plate 73 to which the parts are attached slides back on the slides 107. i

For breaking the links 109 I provide two vertical plungers 126 arranged beneath the forward members 111 of the toggle links as shown in Figure 2 and adapted to be lifted by swinginglevers 127 pivotally mounted at the rear of the frame on brackets similar to the bracket 89, the 'plungers 126 being connected to the levers by pivots 128. The forward ends of thelevers carry cam rollers 129 adapted to contact with cams 130 mounted on the shaft 40 and arranged to lift the members 111 just after the packing mechanism:has moved to the'forward limit of its movement. When these two toggle links are thus broken, the'member 73 is drawn rearwardly by a spring 131 connectedat its rear end 132 to the upper end of the lever 118 and its forward end connected to the plate 73 through a rearwardly extending projection 133. The construction is such that as soon as the toggle links 109 are broken the spring 131 withdraws the plate 73 with the fingers 78 and the lower plate 71, leaving the soap; held in position merely by the plate 74. To prevent the bars'of soap falling rearwardly when the packing mechanism is withdrawn, I arrange the wholemachine on a slight incline forwardly as indicated by -the inclined floor line 134, Figure 5. The

carry the soap bars forward into the packing mechanism and to prevent the soap bars being projected into the line of the packing mechanism during the time that the packing plungers are moving back and forth. I' provide a guard plate 136 which is rigid with the plate 74 and-projects rearwardly from the end of the plate 74 and forms a stop against which the soap bars are pushed by the belt 41. 'This guard 136'is drawn rearwardly out of the pat-h of the soap inv time to permit the projection 62' on the feed chain 52 to move the'line of four bars of soap 'intofthe packing mechanism as here tofore described.

For positioning the boxes 13 to receive the soap and for dropping the box step by step as the several layers of soap are'completed,

I provide a series of horizontally movable stops or projections 137 to 141 inclusive at each side of'the machine, the stops adapted to successively support the box 13 in position for receiving the layers .of soap. When the box 13 drops down the chute 14, it first rests upon the upper pair of stops or projections 1237 in position to receive the lowermost layer of soap. In other words the lower wall 142 of the box lies just low enough to permit the plate 71 to enter the box above the -.bottom wall 142. As the boxes for which mygmachine is particularly adapted are made of corrugated paper the lower wall 142 would tend to be pressed downwardly out of true position asthe box becomes more and more filled thus distorting the box. To prevent this condition I provide a horizontal supporting plate 143 adapted to receive the box as it dropsfromthe first pair of projections 137, and to movedownwardly with the box from such position until the box is completely filled at which time 1- provide means for dumping the box out of the machine onto a carrier belt 144 by which the filled box is moved from the machine.

The projections 137 are somewhat longer than the projections138 to 141-inclusive for the reason that thebox is supported on the projections 137 without the plate 143. .The .plate being of metal it can be supported upon shorter projections. Y

My invention includes means for successively withdrawing the supporting projections from box supporting position to permit the box to drop step by step as the several layers are completed. This mechanism comprises avertically arranged shaft 145 at each side-supported in suitable bearin s and adapted to be rotated by means to e described. Each of the supporting projections is mounted in a horizontal guide groove 146. and is provided on its upper face with a vertical projection 147 adapted to be engaged by acam projection 148 on a cam member 149 secured on the shaft 145, a cam member 149 being provided for each of the supporting projections.

receive five layers of soap, I provide five of the cams 149 one above the other, on'each ofthe shafts 145, the projections 148 on the several cams being equally spaced around the shaft so that the shaft in one revolution will successively Withdraw the supporting As the box in the particular'instance illustrated is adapted to projections beginning at the upper projections 137 and continuing down the line. As shown in Figure 2, I provide a compression spring 150 behind each supporting projection which normally pushes the projection inwardly, the box itself holding the projections out once they have been withdrawn.

"For'rotat-ing the shafts 145 step by step I provide a crank arm 151 secured on the shaft 40 and connected by a link 152 to a bell-crank 153. rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft 154 extending across the. ma chine beneath the verticalchute 14. This shaft carries toothed-miter wheels 155 meshing with similar wheels 156 secured. on the lower ends of theshafts. 145. Fixed on the horizontal shaft 154 is a'ratchet disk 157 which has five equally spaced notches 15b.-

Between the bell-crank153 and the disk 157 there is mounted on the shaft a toothed ratchet 159 which is adapted to be engaged by a dog 160 carried by the bell-crank lever 153 so that each time that the crank 151 makes one revolution the ratchet disk 159 makes one-fifth of a revolution. .To prevent the rearward movement of the ratchet disk 159, I provide a second dog 161 pivotally mounted on the frame and adapted to engage in one of the notches of the disk 159 at the instant that the bell-crank lever stops its forward movement. 7

Pivotally mounted on the inner face of the ratchet disk 159,1 provide a ratchet dog 162 which is adapted to engage in the notches 158 of the ratchet disk 157 but as I desire to make five movements of the bell- .crank lever to one movement of the ratchet disk 157, I provide a fixed cam disk 163 mounted on the shaft 154 having an outer circular surface 164 adapted to engage a cam roller 165 on a free end of the dog 162 and of such a diameter that it lifts the dog out of the notches 158. The edge of the disk 163 is cut away at one part of its periphery as shown at 166 for about one-fifth of its circumference to permit the dog 162 to en'- gage in one of'the notches 158 and at the termination of this cut-away portion asprovided at its ends with rigid downwardly extending projections 168 in which are mounted a horizontal rod 169 adjacent to,

the plate and a second rod 170 in the lower ends of the projections. These rods are arranged beneath the forward edge of the plate 143 the rod 17 0 vertically beneath the deflected forwardly so that when the plate drops to the lower end of its movement, it will be tipped rearwardlv as shown in Figure 11, and the supported box will slide out onto the conveyor belt 144. For lifting the plate. 143 from its lowermost to its upper- .most position, I provide a pairof lever arms 173 one on each side of the machine, mount ed at the forward part of themachine on a horizontal shaft 174, the free ends of the.

levers 173 being linked to the plate 143 by links 17 5, the upper ends of the links 17 5 engaging the'outer ends of the horizontal rod 169. For operating the levers173 I provide a stiff coiledspring 176 wound around 20 the shaft 174 and. engaging the frame at one end and the hub of one of the levers 173 at its opposite end; Once the plate 143 hasbeen pushed down by the weight of the box and the withdrawal of the several supporting-stops, it is freed from the weight of the soap by the box sliding off as heretofore explained and then the spring 176 operates to lift the plate to its uppermost position where it rests upon the supporting stops 138. As the several supporting stops are projected inwardly immediately the packing a box passes them, I provide simple means for permitting the plate 143 to rise past the stops and yet engage them as it again de- 735 scends. The plate 143 itself is provided with notches 177 at its endsfor freely passing the supporting projections and for closing these notches so that the plate will be sup-- ported upon the projections, I provide a pivotally mounted plate 17 8 at each end of the plate 143 which extends across the notch 177, this plate 17 8 having a projection 17.9 .r1g1d therewith adapted to be'secured rigidly to a plate 180 mounted on the lower side of the plate 143 on a pivot or hinged pin fl8l arranged adjacent to the inner edge of the notch 177. This construction permits the plate 178 to swing downwardly to pass the several support projections and as soon as it has passed the projections it is automatically' swung back to supporting position beneath the end of the plate 143 by the a weight of the projection 179. f In fact I make use of an ordinary two leaf hinge for the pivotal connection of the plate 178 to the plate 143, one leaf of the hinge being I rigidly secured to the plate 143 and the ot er leaf forming the plate 180 to which the art 179 connected with the plate 17 8 is .9 rigi ly'connected.

1 As, explained heneinbefore, }the boxes which this particular embodiment of my invention is especially'adapt'ed to pack are I made of what is known ans-corrugated pasteboard and the walls thereof are consequently somewhat yielding. I provide simple automatic means for holding the upper walls 182 of the boxes 13 in raised position at the time the boxes are positioned to receive the uppermost layer of soap. This ition is best illustrated in'Figure 4. This holding means comprises projections. 183 mounted on a horizontal shaft 184 to rotate therewith I and provided onv their free ends with right angle projections 183' adapted to enter the open sides of the boxes as'the boxes descend the chute 14 and engage beneath the upper wall 182. I preferably pr'ovidetwo sets of the arms 183 spaced apart on the shaft 184 to best operate to lift the upper wall of the box. s

The shaft 184 is mounted insuitable bearings on the face of the'chute 14 and the rojections 183 are of such a length that w en they are positioned to project downwardly the right angle extensions 183 are posi-' tioned to hold the upper wall 182 above its normal position to permit the free and unhindered entrance and withdrawal of the packing plungers during the process of packing the uppermost layer.-

For the purpose of holding the lifting projections rigidly in lifting position during the packing of the topmost layer, I provide a ratchet wheel 185 rigidly mounted on the shaft 184 and provided with two oppositely disposed teeth or projections 186, one for each of the oppositely extending arms 183 and projecting substantially in' line' therewith. lfiach tooth has a forward substantially radial face 186 and a rear inclined face 187. For holding the ratchet Wheel 185 against rotation with one of the lifting projections under the top wall of the box being filled, I provide a dog 188 pivoted to the adjacent wall of the chute 14 at 189 and provided on its free end with a projection 190 having'a flat face 191 for engagement with the radial face 186 of the ratchet tooth to retain the shaft 184 against, rotation.

Forreleasing the ratchet wheel 185, I provide' a cam wheel 192 mounted for rotation with the shaft 1.54 below the chute'14 and provided'with a single projection 193. This cam-with its rojection makes one revolu-'- -tion foreach ox being packed and at the instant that the upper layer is complete the projection 193 operates to lift the dog 188 and release theshaft 184to permitthe arm 183 to swing outwardly and withdraw the lifting projection 183'.,

' For operatively connecting the cam projection 193 with the dog I88, I provide a camvroller 194 rotatably .mounted on the w free end of a pivotall mounted vertically adaptedto lift thedog 188 when the lever- 195 is swung upwardly by the cam projecto the dog 188 to'pull same downwardly and .the projections 183 which are opposite tothose ust freed from the filled box will be tion 193. The dog 188 is thus arranged to belifted high enough to disengage the projections 190 on the dog-188 from the engaged tooth 186 on the ratchet wheel 185 and permit the shaft 184 to be rotated by thefilled box 13 when the same is released to. dropv from the filling position.

I providea tensionspring 198 connected 1 provide the tooth 190 with auinclined inner face199 for engagement with the inclined rear facel87 of the ratchet tooth 186 to' force the shaft 184 torotate a sufiic'ient distance immediately after its'relea-se so that swung around far enough to cnterthe next box in succession before the box descends far enough to prevent this action. These upper projections having swung into the next box, the box as it descends tends to rotate the shaft .184 until the several parts i'each'the positions shown in full lines in Figure 4, wherein the upper wall of the box is held up by the inner lifting projections As-hereinbefore explained the boxes, after they are filled with soap, drop out of the packing machine onto the carrier belt144.

The rear wall 200 of the chute 14 is cut away at its lower end as shown at 201 to permit the filled boxes to drop out of the chute 14 .when the plate 143 is tipped atthe-lower limit of.its movement as hereinbefore explained. As thecbox reaches the lower end of the chute the folded flaps on the bottom of the box would naturally spring'outwardly thus opening the botton'rof the box and placing the flaps in such position that they would not be in closed position when the box falls upon the-carrier 144., To prevent this swinging'outwardly of the bottom flaps; I provide a pair of'elong'ated guards 202 Which aremounted upon a shaft 203; which forms the lowershaft of theflcarrier belt 144. These guards are arranged vertically, and each is secured rigidly at its lower-end on a bracket 204 mountedflon'the shaft 203.

: Each of these brackets has a downwardly extending arm 205 and thesearlns are rigidly connected by across-bar 206, this crossbar serving to hold the brackets 204 prop- ."erly spaced. The brackets-are mounted'on the shaft-203 just within the hubs'of chain 203 and around a drive sprocket 210 mount sprockets 207 around which the carrier chains 144 are trained. -I arrange to drive the shaft 203 by means of a chain 208 trained around a sprocket 209 on the shaft edon the cam shaft 40.

v "The guards,;20 2 are adapted beheld in vertical position against the "rear wall of the' chute 14, as shown in dotted lines in Figure the boxes upwardly to deposit them at the upper end of the conveyor upon some suitable means for removing them such as a second conveyor not shown. The spring 211 ser vcs another' purpose, that of cushioning the fall of thefilled soap boxes upon the chains 144. As the filled box drops out of the machine it presses the guards 202 downwardly against the tension of the spring 211 and the spring is so proportioned that the The carrier chains boxsettles upon the chains of the carrier 144 -without harm; As the carrier 144 is driven from the cam shaft 40, the removal of the filled box upwardly along the carrier is so tirned that it releases the guards 202 in ample time topermit them to be raised again against the rear wall of the chute 14 in time to prevent the swinging outwardly of the bottom flaps of the next box in suc-' cession as itdrops down the chute 14.

As obviously many modifications injstructural details and operating mechanisms will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, I do not limit or confine my invention to the specific details herein shown and described.

I claim:

boxes having hinged closureflaps, thev ad jacent boxes operating 'to hold the end :fiaps folded back until the topibox in thevertieal chute descends below the horizontalchutc, and means for temporarily holding back the forward end flap .of the next box until it advances into the upperen'd of the vertical v chute.

- 2. In a machine of the kind described, a

horizontal, chute adapted toreceive the i v H; I i 1. In a'machin e of the kind described, a horizontal chute and a vertical chute for boxes and through which .the boxes'are forced endwise, the boxes having attached closure flaps, walls of the chute serving to retain said closure flaps iii-turned back condition andf'the next adjacentboxes adapted; to retain the end closure flaps in turned" back condition, -a vertical chute connected with the inner end of. the horizontal chute and down which the boxes pass to the packing mechanism, 'a' projection movably mounted in one .wall of the horizontal chute and adapted toengage the forw-ard-eml'flap" of each box and hold it in turned back position whilethe box advances into the upper end of the Vertical chute.- :3; In a machine of the horizontal chute adapted to receive the boxes and through which the boxes are kind described, a

condition, a vertical. chute connected with the inner end of the horizontal chute and down which the boxes pass to the packing mechanism,- a horizontally movable member mounted on the horizontal chute and provided with an inwardly extending. projection adapted to engage the forward end flaps of the boxes and retain .them in turned back position while the boxes advance into the upper end of the vertical chute.

4. In a machine of the kind described, a horizontal chute adapted to receive the'boxes and through which the boxes are forced endwise, the boxes having attached closure flaps,

walls of the chute serving .to retain said closure flaps in turned back condition and the next adjacent boxes adapted to'retain the end closure flaps in turned back condition, a, vertical chute connected with the inner end of the horizontal chute and down which the boxes pass to the packing mechanism,

a horizontally movable member mounted on the horizontal chute and provided with an inwardly extending projection adapted to engage the forward end flaps of the boxes and retain them in turned back position while the boxes advance into the upper end of the ver-- tical chute, said member being movable in one direction by the engagement of a box with said projection and automatically movable in the opposite-direction when the projection is released from the box as the box descends the vertical chute.

. adapted to deliver the boxes to the chute 'hold a top with a flap turned back upon the upper side thereof, a weight adapted to be placed upon said flap to retain it in turned back position,-

and means adapted for readily lifting the weight for inserting of additional boxes.

6. In a, machine of the kind described, a horizontal chute and a vertical chute for boxes having hinged closure flaps, the upper.

wall of the horizontal chute operating --to ilap turned back until the box I enters the vertical chute, the successive boxes in the horizontal chute operating to hold end flaps turned back, and means for tempo rarily holding said upper flaps turned back as the boxes descend the vertical chute, and

until the next box in succession enters said vertical chute. 7. In a machine of the kind described, a

vertical chute down which packing boxes are. adapted to descend for receiving a plurality of layers of articles to be packed therein, the boxes having walls which are yielding, means for placing a plurality of rows of articles in the box being packed,-

each row comprising an equal number of the articles, means for permitting the boxto descend step by step to receive the several layers, means for engaging the upper wall of the box to hold same up during the packing of the top layer, said means being adapted to automatically release the box as the I same drops after receiving the top layer.

8. In a machine of the kind described, for packing boxes having hinged closure flaps, a horizontal chute for receiving the boxes, a vertical chute forreceiving the boxes from the horizontal chute, the boxes being adapted to be entered into the horizontal chute, with the four closure flaps of the top folded back against the sides and the open top presented horizontally, and a weighted member movable up and down in the top of the vertical chute adapted to rest upon the upper folded-back [lap and retain it in folded back position until the next succeeding box has entered the upper part of the vertical elm-to pl suflicient distance to overlap saidvupper -9. In a. machine of the kind described, for packing boxes having hinged closure flaps, a lrorizontal'chute for receiving the boxes, a vertical chute for receiving the boxes from the horizontal chute, the boxes being adapted to be entered into the horizontalchute with the four closure flaps of the top folded back against the sides and the open top presented horizontally, means for engaging the forward folded-back flap as the box moves into the upper end of the vertical chute to retain same in folded backin, the boxes having walls which are yield- 7 ing, means forplacing a plurality of rows of articles in the box being packed, each row comprisingan equal number of the artieles, means for permitting the box to descend step by step to receive the several layers, a. rotatable member having projections adapted to enga beneath the upper side of the boxto ho (1 same raised during the packing of the upper layer, means ferretaining saidmember against rotation during the packin of the top la er, and means for automaticailly releasing t e member to permit the projections to release the box when the top layer hasbeen completed. 1

11. In a machine ofthe kind descg'bed,

a vertical chute down which a packing-box is permitted to descend past an article packing mechanism, the box having yielding walls, the box adapted to contain a plurality of layers ofthe. articles, means for permitting the box to descend step by step for receiving the several layers, automatically operated means for holding the upper side of the box up during the packing of the top layer and for ieleasing said upper side when said upper layer has been completed.

12. In a packing machine of the kind described, a pusher mechanism having a shelf for receiving the articles to be packed, spring actuated fingers for holding the articles on said shelf, a vertically movable plunger head, projections on the head one for each finger and adapted as the head is raised to lift the fingers, cam means for lifting the head, a guard plate adapted to be lifted in front of the shelf to form an entrance channel, connection between the guard plate and said cam means for operating same and yielding means interposed to permit of a greater movement of the guard plate than the plunger head, as and for the purpose specified.

13. In a packing machine of the kind described, a packing mechanism adapted to form a channel for receiving aligned articles to be packed, a continuouslyrunning belt adapted to carry the articles toward the packing mechanism, a continuously moving chain having a section arranged parallel with said belt and provided with a projec- 7 tion pivotally mounted on the chain, means specified.

for turning said projection to cause it to extend into the path of said articles as it reaches a point over said belt to engage the articles and move them forward toward the packing mechanism, and means permitting the swinging of said projection out of the path of the articles at the end of the predetermined forward movement of the articles.

14. In a packing machine of the kind described, a packing mechanism adapted to form a channel for receiving aligned articles to be packed, a continuously running belt adalpltrelad to carry'the articles toward the pac g mechanism, a continuously moving chain having a section arranged parallel with said belt and gular projection pivotally mounted at its heel upon the chain, a guard plate within the chain adapted to engage the inner end of said projection and cause it to swing outwardly to project it at right angles to the chain, the guard plate being of a length to hold said rojection extended for a predetermined distance, as and for the purpose 15. In a packing machine of the kind de scribed, a packing mechanism adapted to form a channel for receiving aligned articles to be acked, a. continuously running belt adapted to carry the articles toward the packing mechanism, a continuously moving provided with a trian chain having a section arranged parallel with said belt and provided with a triangular projection pivotally mounted at its heel upon the chain, a guard plate within the chain adapted to engage the inner end of said projection and cause it to swing outwardly to project it at right angles to the chain, the guard plate being of a length to hold said projection extended for a predetermined distance, and the guard plate adjustably mounted longitudinally of the chain for adjusting the point of release to correspond with the packing mechanism.

16. In a machine of the kind described adapted to pack articles such as wrapped bars of soap into boxes having yielding walls, pairs of projections for holding the box at suitable heights in reference to the packing plungers, means for withdrawing the projections to permit the box to descend as it is filled layer by layer, a supporting plate adapted to be positioned in the downward path of the box to receive and support same, and means for lifting said ,plate upon the release of a filled box therefrom.

17. In a'machine of the kind described adapted to pack articles such as wrapped bars of soap into boxes having yielding walls, pairs of projections for holding the box at suitable heights in reference to the packing plungers, means for withdrawing the projections to permit the box to descend .as itis filled layer bylayer, a supporting plate adapted to be positioned in the downward path of the box to receive and support same, means for lifting said plate upon the release of a filled box therefrom, the frame of the machine provided with vertical guide slots, and rigid projections on said plate for entering said slots and guiding it in its up and down movement, the lower ends of said slots deflected to one side to cause the plate to tip'and dump the box when the box has been filled.

18. 'In a machine of the kind described adapted to pack articles such as wrapped bars" of soap into boxes having yielding walls, the machine having a vertical chute down which the boxes descend, a vertical shaft at each side of the chute, projections entering the chute from each side for supporting the box at suitable heights in reference to the packing mechanism, cam means on said shafts adapted to withdraw said projections at the two sides in succession from the top downward to permit the box to descend step by step, and means for turning the shafts for the Withdrawal of the proections in relation to the operation of the packing plungers so that the box is permitted to drop the depth of .one layer each time a layer is completed.

19. In a a vertical chute down which packing boxes pass past a suitable packing mechanism,

machine of thekind described,

pairs of projectionsentering the chute from opposite sides adaptedto support the box at successive heights for vreceiving successive layers, the boxes having yielding-walls, a rigid plate adapted to receive abox as it descends after it has received the first layer, spring means for lifting the plate to its upper position when relieved of a filled box, the plate having notches in its ends for passing the several projections, and auxiliary plates hinged to the undersideeof said sup orting plate adapted to swing out of the pat of said projections as the plate is raised and to be held in the path of said projections as the plate descends, and means timed in operation in relation to the packing mechanism for withdrawing said projections in succession from the top downwardly as "each layer is completed. 20.. In. a mach' e for packing articles in a boxes ,havin bottom flaps which are folded in toform' t e bottom of the box while the articles are being packed in the box,.a chute down which the box travels sidewiseas it is being filled, the back wall of the chute having an opening for permitting the'box to fall outwardly when filled, a' conveyor adjacent to the lower end of the opening for receiving the boxes, a pair of guards normally held adjacent to the rear Wall of the chute to prevent said bottom flaps swinging outwardly, the guards adapted to be swung downwardlyby the box as it leaves the machine and means resisting the downward swinging of the guards, as and for the 35 purpose specified.

Signed at Chicago, of September, i922.

EDDY T. MCKAIG.

Illinois, this 15th day 

